I'm staring down the barrel of this gun now as well, though not nearly as bad as what you have shown here in this thread.
The metal is getting pretty thin in the lower corners of the driver side rear wheel well on mine.
This RX8 has seen very few winter days, typically it sat in my heated garage all winter.
Sometimes if the roads were clear and it wasn't going to snow I would take it out for a drive and make sure everything is still working.
I guess that was sill enough ...

The passenger side rear wheel fender is almost like new still as it was replaced when the car was only a couple years old.
(My wife backed in to my RX8 with her SUV)

I'll get a quote and see what the damage will be but I don't have the resources or the skill set at my disposal that you have fortunately have had to DIY.
Great thread thanks for sharing. Nice work

This is madness.. props to you for having so much patience doing this!!! Are you going to 3m wrap the car after?

very nice job, and likely satisfying for you too.

Thank you both for the kind words, means a lot coming from such respected members of the community.

WCS... It doesn't seem to matter what you do they are just designed to rust up here lol... The DIY aspect was frustrating and fun and I am fortunate to have had some friends/resources to get this done. Given the chance to do it again I might search harder for a rust free shell or have a shop do some work. 3 missed summers on the road is heartbreaking and too long. One thing I wouldn't hesitate to do is save the car one way or another.

I had a friend here in Hamilton have basically the same job done, both quarter panels and full repaint but at shop... Was around 5-6k I believe.

That might be my favourite description so far hahaha... I hadn't considered the 3m but might be a good idea. Worth looking into thx for the reminder

Reassembled the windows and doors today forgot what a bitch that was... Hopeful to have some final pictures soon!

I still have to put on the front lip, side aero, and rear bumper spats.... Waiting to do some paint touch ups along the rocker first. But until then there are some "almost" finished pics. Plan on taking some nice ones once it's all "done" probably in the spring
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...917328fcd9.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...a7c2467ff4.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...dcc4618c26.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...4f64813753.jpg

With the mazdaspeed wing to boot! Bravo!
For sure you’ll ready for next season. :)

Oops somehow managed a double post ..

Yes the MS wing gives it a sporty touch! I have the beat up MS front bumper and R3 skirts if I ever decide to go that route.. but I think it will look nice with the half skirts :)

I got the spoiler off of the dudes who run the Speed Academy YouTube channel. Their shop is near Hamilton (Stoney Creek)... Super nice guys!

Have gone for a few drives around town to satisfy my craving but nothing too far until I get the oil cooler lines replaced

I've been contemplating forever on whether I should source one or not. I just couldn't bring myself to do it since it is my daily driver. Meaning, it does see the winter. The stock R3 spoiler will remain for the foreseeable future.

You should definitely put the ms bumper though! Together with the side skirts, it would definitely complete the look. Too bad you didn't find a ms rear bumper?
Still, great to see all that work paid off. Being able to drive it is ultimately rewarding.

Really great to see this come together. Gives me inspiration that I should address mine this winter

If I've learned anything about myself... It's that I can't stop buying parts for this car lol. I will keep my eye open and hopefully find the MS rear, although I don't really mind the factory rear with the rest of the MS/R3 pieces.
​​​​​​Do it, save all the 8s! But be careful because winter becomes spring becomes summer becomes fall lol
​​​​​​Maybe this doesn't belong under the "rust repair" thread any more but you guys are my loyal followers so you get the goods :P . I installed the Greddy catback today, it's amazing lol. Deeper tone and not much louder than stock which is perfect for me.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...e042a209e0.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...2398dc0932.jpg

Little update here... What a great year it was back on the road. Felt like the first year I owned my car all over again. Had a blast, even made it out to Rotormeet for the first time in a few years, and tucked it away for winter.... Here are a few pics of the season
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...5e141932e6.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...6545b4a80d.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...3a3ddcbbef.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...53e470e5c2.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...20150c797d.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...eba2f64fd8.jpg

Nothing better than the satisfaction of all that hard work paying off. :)
Too bad we didn't get a chance to meet at Rotormeet. Lots of new faces.

Counting down the days till the new season.., :)